U.S. Senator Katie Britt Chairs Senate Judiciary Hearing, Questions Alabama’s U.S. District Judge Nominees

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today chaired a Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing to consider several of President Donald Trump's nominees for federal judgeships. The witnesses included three Alabama U.S. district judge nominees: Edmund "Eddie" LaCour to be a district judge for the Northern District of Alabama; Bill Lewis to be a district judge for the Middle District of Alabama; and Harold "Hal" Mooty to be a district judge for the Northern District of Alabama.

Senator Britt, who recently joined Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) in recommending the nominees for federal judgeships in Alabama to President Trump, introduced them to the committee.

Opening Statement:

"Today is a great day, not only for the state of Alabama, but for our nation to get to see these fine men in front of us. I want to thank President Trump for his exceptional leadership in nominating each of these individuals. And I want to thank Senator Tuberville for us being able to work hand-in-glove to make this happen and move these in front of this committee. I want to welcome Justice Bill Lewis, Hal Mooty, and Edmund LaCour, and their friends and family who are here and with them today. We are so proud to have each and every one of you with us today. Before us are three nominees for federal judgeships in our state who have superb qualifications and a devotion to the Constitution and the rule of law. I am thrilled that President Trump has nominated them to serve in the judiciary, and I'm looking forward to their swift confirmation."

Nominee Introductions:

"Justice Bill Lewis has served as a judge in Alabama's judicial system since 2016 and is currently an Associate Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Prior to that, he served as a circuit judge for Alabama's 19th Judicial Circuit and a judge on Alabama's Court of Civil Appeals. He has worked as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney and was in private practice for approximately ten years before becoming a judge. He has also served our state in other ways, including as a member of the University of South Alabama Board of Trustees. As a graduate of the [University of the South] and Cumberland School of Law, he has received numerous awards and honors and has served with distinction throughout his career. Born and raised in the River Region, this is the place that my children call home, and I have an opportunity to reside. I can say that Justice Lewis has unquestionable character. He is a pillar of our community. His story and his grit inspire all who know him, and I cannot wait for him to be sitting on the bench.

"Second, is Hal Mooty. Hal is a partner at one of our state's preeminent law firms, Bradley Arrant Boult Cummings. He has an outstanding record of representing his clients and commercial litigation across our great nation, and he has been named as one of the best lawyers in America for commercial litigation. Hal has been an active member of the Huntsville community, having served as a board member and board president of [Crisis Services] of North Alabama, the development council of Huntsville Hospital, the Committee for the Future for the Children's Hospital of Alabama, and as part of the Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program. Every person, every part of our state is seen by Hal, and he has a relentless pursuit to make sure that they're fought for. As a graduate of the University of Alabama for both undergrad and law school, Hal has, throughout his career, consistently demonstrated the qualities that are essential to serving as a member of the federal judiciary. Having known Hal for 22 years myself, I can tell you there is no one else who has the focus-it is unmatched. He has a relentless pursuit of excellence, and he has a deep sense of justice.

"Finally, Edmund LaCour currently serves as the Solicitor General of the state of Alabama, a position he has held since 2019. A graduate of Birmingham-Southern College and Yale Law School, his legal credentials are unquestioned. As Solicitor General of Alabama. He has represented the state and a whole host of litigation and federal court and is admitted to practice before every circuit court of appeals in the United States, as well as the Supreme Court. As a lawyer, he has, filed more than 100 briefs before the Supreme Court and has argued three cases before the court. Prior to becoming Solicitor General, he was in private practice at firms including Kirkland & Ellis and Baker Botts, and he has also served as a clerk to Judge Bill Pryor on the 11th Circuit. As a fellow native of the Wiregrass, obviously the entire region is proud to see you serve."

Concluding Statement:

"I believe that all three of these nominees will apply our laws fairly, uphold the Constitution, and serve with distinction on the federal courts. I am proud to support their nominations, and thank them for their willingness to serve, and look forward to their swift confirmations."

Watch Senator Britt's introductions here.

Senator Britt was also asked by Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to chair a majority of the hearing, which consisted of two witness panels. The second panel included Alabama's nominees for federal judgeships, whom she swore in prior to their testimony and questioning.

Watch Senator Britt's line of questioning here.

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